Conquering the Castle Narrative: Family, Opportunity and the Lived Experience at Yorkshire Castles

Beyond the awesome scale of the medieval castle, these buildings have a rich story to tell about the families that lived there and the communities around them. Taking a second glance at the physical remains is always rewarding, as Leah Goddard found when visiting Middleham and Richmond Castles for the module The Visible Past.

Over the course of a few weeks on the Visible Past module, we have been considering how castle studies and scholarship have favoured particular narratives over others when considering the subjects of their investigation. Our class trip to Middleham Castle and Richmond Castle helped not only to solidify that which we had been discussing as a group, but to demonstrate this ideological favouritism up close.

We began the day at Middleham Castle. I was immediately struck by its sheer size and magnitude, and how it dominates the surrounding town’s landscape. Upon entering the castle grounds, we were confronted with a statue of Richard III, in commemoration of his time spent at Middleham. We soon came to learn, however, that Richard’s involvement with Middleham was not as great as the statue might suggest. It was, in fact, the Neville family who inherited the castle and began re-building in the 13th century that was at the heart of much of the structure and its impressive development. Evidence could be seen in the overall layout of Middleham how certain areas were used as living quarters for visitors, staff, and the ever-growing Neville family; private space that indicated a need for this privacy, yet still closely connected to castle activity. A viewing of the structure in its entirety demonstrated to us how Middleham Castle was, as much as anything else, a family home.

Richmond Castle was our next stop for the day and, as at Middleham, the presence of the site was slightly overwhelming. However, I came to understand the reasons for this as not only was the town of Richmond situated outside the structure, but also within. Once walking through to the enclosure of the castle, this was an idea I could certainly visualize, and was described to us as an ‘area of opportunity’. Whilst Richmond certainly had its military uses, particularly in the Victorian era, intentional choices in the structure to connect all elements of the space stood out to me. Particularly, having the chapel perfectly in between the keep and living quarters, and as an easily accessed space, can help to demonstrate the importance of religious practice to the everyday. A walk through the gardens also prompted interesting discussions with my particular walking group as to how these spaces, natural or constructed spaces such as the chapel, could further our ideas on the daily lives and routines at Richmond.

What interested me the most about both Middleham and Richmond was their importance as domestic spaces and family homes. There is a misconception from many (myself included, until learning more on this module) that castles are purely military spaces designed for protection against siege. Where in truth, castles are multi-purpose structures designed for everyday use as well as military prowess. I found it a shame to understand how this misrepresentation came to be, and consider the lived experiences of those who inherited, resided in, or worked within these spaces as almost fleeting in favour of a supposedly grander story.

This misconception is challenged within both of these sites and others like it; choices made in the layouts and floor plans of a space can reveal just as much as the structure’s materials or preservation. And as a group we were consistently challenged to rethink our pre-conceptions, what we saw before us, and the intentions behind the structures we were engaging with. I felt that I had left this experience with a further interest in heritage and the presentation of history, as well as a knowledge of how close inspection and consideration of the visible past can reveal much more than thought at first glance.

Separation, Socialisation and a Sense Monastic Life

Visiting historic sites allows us to experience the sounds, spaces and structures of the medieval past in a special way, inviting new ideas and questions about their significance. At Yorkshire’s monastic sites, it can emphasise connections with nature as well as highlight isolation and the distinct ways faith was demonstrated at these places, as Scarlett Walker found when visiting of Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey for the module The Visible Past.

As soon as the coach pulled into the car park, the first thing to notice about both Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey is the complete isolation. Both buildings are cut off from ordinary life within the stones of their monastic building. Mount Grace is built at the bottom of a valley and is completely surrounded by nature. The sound of pheasants and geese is prominent when there and, even in modern life, the hum of the motorway is a distant sound. At Mount Grace, the idea of isolation is built into the very foundations of the monastery. This is demonstrated by the reconstructed monastic cell, which shows how the monks would have lived separately from each other. These were self-reliant houses with gardens to grow food and working tools, such as a loom in the attic. There was a hole in the wall where food would be delivered to them, which was curved to keep them from seeing each other. The monastic cells were situated around the edge of the cloister. The cloister was the only area of socialisation the Carthusian monks would have had each week when they went to church in the chapel, of which the bell tower is still visible. The tower rises above the cloister, suggesting it is the focal point of the monastery and the most significant part for the monks living there, where they could demonstrate their faith.

The isolation was also similar at Rievaulx Abbey. To get there we had to go down a rather steep hill to reach the car park which was set away from the building. It is very far away from any modern-day roads and is completely buried in the walls of nature. It was surrounded by tall, steep hills of shrubbery and trees, and was also built near the river Rye, which was visible as we drove away from the abbey. This is evidence of how the monks who inhabited Rievaulx would have used nature and ingrained it into their daily lives. Although there is a sense of isolation present in the placing of Rievaulx Abbey it has a different sense to the idea of isolation than that of Mount Grace Priory. Mount Grace believed in separation from each other as well as the world outside of the religious order, whereas Rievaulx had shared dormitories where the monks lived among each other as well as communal eating space and places of worship. This was done in the magnificent church building which is still visible today and towers over the complex. The sheer height of this church demonstrates that it was at the centre of monastic life. The church and cloisters were built surrounded by fields, which created enclosures for livestock, orchards and made it easy for agriculture, demonstrating the self-reliance of the abbey. These walls are still visible at the site today and give a sense of what life for a monk would have been like. Rievaulx Abbey also has an infirmary, the location of which is still visible at the site. This would have been where they took care of the sick, older monks and it formed the earliest surviving infirmary complex in a Cistercian building in Britain. It demonstrates the monk’s need to look after each other and their own.

Another thing noticeable after visiting both abbeys was the difference in design. Mount Grace Priory has a simplistic build to it, an idea of necessity rather than aesthetics. The monastic cells were small and simple, with a room for sleeping, a room for praying, an attic upstairs for working and a small garden in the back for growing vegetables and supporting themselves. Even the belltower, which was the centrepiece of the priory, was smaller than the typical idea of a belltower, built for purpose rather than design. Rievaulx, however, was gothic and impressive and it towered over the landscape, letting everyone know it was there. Everything about Rievaulx Abbey was lavish and striking from the large windows and high ceilings, where stained glass would have allowed light to shine down onto the altar and into the most significant part of the monastery. The abbey was built over three floors and shows its imposing nature, a dominating presence over the surrounding countryside. Although a lot of the walls are ruins, the height and the nature of the walls are still visible at the site, and it is clear that the building was seen as significant in this period.

Place, space and community in Yorkshire castles

As part of the module The Visible Past, first year students study castles from different perspectives to understand the significance of these buildings and the people who used them. But it is only when exploring the sites themselves that knowledge of these spaces can really be put into context. Here, Ashanti Carlton shares her thoughts on visiting Middleham and Richmond Castles.

We began with the first site that we visited, Middleham Castle, which is in the middle of the town. The first thing you see is the gatehouse and the sheer thickness of the walls. What was also immediately evident was the size of the windows, especially in comparison to a lot of examples that we had previously studied, hinting at the occupants’ wealth with intricate designs combined in and around the windows.

As you first walk in you see a statue of King Richard III, which looks quite striking against the surroundings and stands out but shows a connection to the space. What I found to be enjoyable when learning about the space was not the focus on a specific individual in relation to the space but rather more of a focus on physical aspects in the space, such as the kitchen areas and the size of the domestic space, areas that we usually don’t associate with castles straight away but were important to everyday life. What was also interesting to see was the size of different spaces within the castle itself, for example the dorm-like space for the religious figures living within the site, also something that we don’t always immediately think of in the context of castles. Similarly communal garderobes (toilets), weirdly a common theme through both the spaces we visited!

Next, we visited Richmond Castle, which was again surrounded by the town but differed from Middleham Castle visually. For example, when you think of a castle on a hill with a large keep that’s what Richmond looks like, especially with it being on top of a hill, from which you could look out for miles. Within the castle there is a distinction of spaces that are in ruins and that are still standing, such as the space where important occupants would live and, again, another fixation on the toilet that was within the space, which I found quite funny. Next to this space are gardens in the grounds of the castle, which were quite beautiful and a nice thing to have to break up the space. I also enjoyed looking at the surrounding area from the top of the keep, despite the rain.

Looking back at the visits what was great about them was both the sense of community that you can see built up surrounding these castles, instead of them being isolated places, and also how the community is involved with the castle space.

Contrasting Communities: from Secluded Isolation to Imposing Grandiosity

Yorkshire’s awesome monastic buildings can tell us so much about the communities that lived, worked and prayed there, especially when you have been studying them as part of the module The Visible Past. In this post, first year history student Freya Pointon highlights what she learned from our site visits to Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey.

One of the first aspects that you notice upon arrival at Mount Grace Priory, a 14^th century Carthusian monastery, is the seclusion. After parking, we walk down the lane and are greeted by an extended, yet modest, stone gating, which belies the secrets hiding behind in a barren area. You’re struck with its simplistic, humble Carthusian design set in such a secluded location. Almost hidden away from view by the protective rising woodland that’s wrapped around the far walls. Moreover, you see the difference of the destructed church and bell tower, in comparison with the cells, where the monks spent the majority of their time.

The cells were a house for the monks, with one monk per cell. They allowed in little light, as seen by a reconstructed cell at the site. This is significant, given the usual connotations with light and the connection to God. The monks were permitted little time to socialise with others, only three hours of socialising a week, and food holes in the opening of the cells meant that they would not be disturbed nor see anyone outside of those hours.

In contrast to other monasteries, where boys turned to men, some call Mount Grace a ‘retirement home’ for men who had secular jobs but wanted to become more pious, having to pay an estimated £20 for a cell, as well as joining a waiting list. To say there was this much wealth it does not seem to be that prevalent in the architecture of the Priory, with it having ‘basic’ architecture of sorts and many saying it does not look like a monastery that they are used to, with grand gothic architecture. Yet this connects to the ‘humbleness’ that the Carthusian order desired.

Mount Grace shows how the people of the past used the nature surrounding them to their advantage, with their own water system and well. The water system ran on the outside of the cloister of cells and, in the cells themselves, via dugouts that are still present today. The ‘dugouts’ are however not connected to the toilet system; it is interesting to note this as they valued sanitation. Each cell had its own lavatory, a hole in the wall connected to a deeper sewage system, revealing the very personal areas of life we can learn about on site.

The water system/dugouts in the priory

A hole revealing connection to a deeper sewage system

In contrast to Mount Grace, Rievaulx Abbey is immense, illustrious and overwhelming, with its large gothic architecture. There is so much grandiosity from its size and location, rising and imposing itself onto the landscape. Not only is the Abbey built in gothic style, with high windows and ceilings but also its foundations are extensive, much larger than that of Mount Grace, accommodating 150 monks and up to 500 lay brothers that lived there at one point. Rievaulx was also a popular place for pilgrims, due to the famed Saint Aelred, abbot from 1147-67.

Rievaulx had a different sense of community compared to Mount Grace, a grand shared space, with shared dormitories and a chapter house for daily meetings and confession. As well as a communal meal space, the refectory, although they all ate in silence, listening to a reading they were sat as a community, vastly different from Mount Grace.

Many of the constructions in the Abbey were built in the time of Abbot Aelred, including the chapter house, the church (which was later extended), as well as the infirmary and other builds. Later additions to the Abbey include shrines to the abbots, most famously Aelred near the high altar, as well as what looks to be accommodation for pilgrims and visitors, located slightly down from the Abbey in a different building.

It is spectacular that even now you can imagine how magnificent, almost cathedral-like, this abbey is, it allows your imagination to envisage the colossal stained-windows and built over three floors, it was a statement, a force. This however does lead to some critiques of the Cistercian order, as they wanted to live a stringent lifestyle, yet despite this the dedication to their Abbey says something of their piety to God.

When entering both monasteries you can sense the sacrifices made for religion in different ways, whether in seclusion or communal prayer. Both are still significant in understanding medieval religion and monastic presence in this era as they tell us about different orders and how they showed piety, via big illustrious buildings that reached the sky, or by individual prayer and eremitic lifestyle.

The Visible Monastic Past: Examining Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey

As part of our Visible Past first-year module, students examine monasteries and castles through site visits to appreciate the impact of time, the environment around the buildings, and the make-up of the communities that lived there. Here, Byron Grierson reflects on the monastic experience of awe and isolation.

Mount Grace Priory

Upon arrival at Mount Grace Priory, it was immediately apparent just how secluded the monks were during the monastery’s age. Surrounded by trees and fields, it was easy to be transported and imagine how life would have been here centuries ago.

The most striking aspect of Mount Grace to me was the space allowed to the monks residing here. The word, “cell,” brings to mind images of a small area used to punish criminals. Here, this is certainly not the case. A reconstructed cell shows the space in which a monk would reside: a two-story cell with a separate bedroom, living room, prayer room, and a room upstairs devoted to activities such as clothmaking. On top of this, outside of the monk’s cell, you will find a garden which would have been used to grow various crops and flowers. Upon seeing this, it became more obvious to me as to why people would pay large sums of money to live here.

Another area which interested me was the bell tower. Constructed by Thomas Beauford in 1415, it remains a prominent feature of the monastery, even in its ruined state. Arguably, the bell tower is the best-preserved feature of Mount Grace, perhaps meaning Beauford was granted his wish of remaining part of the abbey’s legacy, even after its destruction.

Rievaulx Abbey

It is difficult not to be impressed, or even overwhelmed, by the sheer size and splendour of Rievaulx Abbey. Built by the Cistercians in 1132, this monastery was clearly designed to be stunning in its appearance. It is not until seeing an Abbey like Rievaulx in person that you can truly understand why many were critical of the way Cistercians approached monastic life.

Like Mount Grace, Rievaulx Abbey is nestled away in the countryside, allowing for the monks of the time to live a solitary life. Despite this, there is still a feeling of community in the abbey. Rooms such as the refectory served as somewhat of a meeting point where monks would gather to eat. Another example of this is the Presbytery, which remains among the best preserved and visually awe-inspiring parts of the abbey. It is impossible to gain an understanding of the sheer beauty of this part of the abbey through the ruins alone. Pictures that present the abbey as it likely was before its destruction show a massive room with giant, beautiful windows which light up the area. This paints a particularly pleasant image of life at Rievaulx.

The differences between Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey are vast, and it is clear why these two locations were chosen for this particular visit. Even lying in ruins, it is easy to imagine Rievaulx Abbey in its past splendour, and Mount Grace Priory, in its much more humble, yet still impressive, appearance prior to the dissolution. Both monasteries capture the visitor’s imagination, and areas such as the recreated cell at Mount Grace Priory effectively transport you to an age of past glory. In the case of Rievaulx Abbey, the building still inspires awe, despite its ruined state. The intricate attention to detail in every aspect of the building was particularly impressive, and the feeling of awe is immediately felt, even when viewing the abbey in the distance.

Five Words, One Year: My first year in History with YSJU

First year can bring about a lot of feelings for those about to undertake university life – excitement, concern, curiosity, panic about doing your own washing for the first time… Here, second-year student Jodie Rodgers discusses what she made of her first year, and offers some advice for those incoming. 

Reflecting on my first year, there’s no denying that university can be really challenging, but believe me when I say it can be equally, if not more, rewarding. This year flew by, leaving me with a new bunch of friends, a whole host of knowledge and new experiences I’ll not forget (as cringeworthy and cliché as that is). This is my first year in 5 words.

Challenging.

Different assessments, more independence and a lack of organisational skills undoubtedly made the start of the year a massive challenge, but I think I’m better at it all now. I collated all of my feedback to notice trends in what I was doing well and what I wasn’t. This was really useful until I noticed that I had helpfully not saved any of the feedback for one of my modules… oops! This is something that I found very useful because it meant that I had a holistic view of where I’ve succeeded and what areas need improvement moving forward in my degree. My early worries about being late were soon put aside due to an over cautious overestimate of how long it takes to get everywhere so soon enough the biggest challenge was assessments, which we have so much support for anyway. Also, a weekly routine is pretty helpful.

Daunting.

York is the first city I’ve lived in, so I faced at least two big changes last September. Starting university meant new places, new people and new experiences and I’ve never really been a fan of change. It was daunting to have to start completely fresh but liberating at the same time. I had the chance to reinvent myself and be who I wanted to be. From being bullied for years, to having a really supportive group of friends has really brought me out of my shell. It’s nice to finally unapologetically be myself. The ‘learning to adult’ was hard though. YSJ is similar to sixth form in many ways; there are so many people who support you and everyone wants you to succeed. Yet, it’s different in that our education is what we make it now. Any avenues we want to explore we can.

Lockdown.

Arguably, this has been the hardest yet most memorable part of my first year. While I know I’m not alone in feeling like this, the move from studying in person to entirely online was really difficult, but when I had submitted my last assignment for the year I was so happy that I’d got through it. Finding and following a new routine and staying motivated to do the work was awful. But I managed it. I learned that I have a lot more determination and drive than I had ever realised before. The biggest challenge for me relating to lockdown was how difficult it was at times to share ideas, something I was more than used to before. However, as is the overriding theme of my first year, I somehow managed to overcome the hurdle and produce some work that I’m really proud of. And, in hindsight, lockdown itself really wasn’t as bad as I anticipated.

Rewarding.

I’ve changed a lot since September last year, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far I’ve come. Honestly, I didn’t know if I’d be able to stick it out at uni within the first month or so, but things started to click for me (obviously). Initially I was very homesick, I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere and despite being almost constantly around people I felt very alone. This changed though, and I’m so glad I persevered, with my family coming to visit whenever they had the chance, I started to settle in. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else now. I’ve always enjoyed learning new skills, and getting grades that reflect how hard I worked, so this year has pleased my little nerdy brain. That’s not to say I’ve found everything easy; I haven’t. But by some miracle (and with a lot of hard work) I’ve always come out on top.

Fun.

Hours working in the library were balanced out with trips out for modules, outings with friends and the occasional foray into the nightlife. One of my favourite days was a trip to nearby monasteries. The weather was absolutely awful, rainy and cold, but nonetheless we managed to make the most of the educational experience and having a laugh with everyone. We all turned into big kids whist learning a lot!

Overall, uni for me is a combination of everything. I wouldn’t have got to the end of my first year without support from everyone around me, and I still have so much more to learn. Just got to keep motivated and hopefully enjoy each year more than the last.

Cramped and Communal to Space and Secure: Contrasting Castles in Medieval Yorkshire.

In one of our last teaching sessions before lockdown, students on first year module The Visible Past headed out into the Yorkshire countryside to explore Middleham Castle and Richmond Castle. Here, Emma Gizzi shares her experience of these site visits. 

Our class in front of Richmond’s impressive front.

As we shifted our focus from monastic life and architecture, we spent the next three weeks on castle studies to understand how the visible remains of sites can reveal a great deal concerning many narratives in medieval history, such as nobility, authority and community. In consolidation of the knowledge we have recently gained, we headed off to visit two of Yorkshire’s most visibly impressive castles, Middleham and Richmond. Guided by Carolyn Donohue, Liz Goodwin, and Anthony Smart, it was time to put into practice what we have learnt. 

The coach journey through the sunny Yorkshire countryside to Middleham was very picturesque with much to let the eye wander on, notably even reminding us of ecclesiastical life again as we passed the remains of Jervaulx Abbey on the way.  Once we arrived, immediately we were greeted by the imposing fourteenth-century curtain walls surrounding the twelfth-century hall keep which dominated the town, and entered through the north-east gatehouse into the courtyard. 

Middleham Castle’s kitchen

Once the group photographs were taken, Carolyn guided us through into the keep itself, with walls measuring up to 3.7m thick making it one of the largest by area in the country and a strongly fortified structure which could protect itself and its occupants from the elements. We could also see how domestic the space was, too, with the presence of water wells at both ends and the remains of where the vaulted ceiling would have been, separating the kitchen and cellar on the lower level where we stood and the great chamber and hall above. A further sense of separation and control could be seen in how limited the stairway access is, including the remains of the bridge that would have been used by the castle’s nobility; providing secluded access from the southern ranges into the keep.  

As we headed outside the keep into the southern courtyard we paid particular attention to the decorative remains of the fourteenth-century chapel and Prince’s Tower, as well as the fifteenth-century privy chamber and latrine tower. All of these adhere to the notion of community and a place of residence, with the Prince’s Tower and privy chamber serving to provide for the maternal and feminine members of the household, and the latrine tower as a fine example of the latest medieval hygiene methods. Before allowing us to explore and gather research for ourselves, Carolyn made a final point that the castle’s history should perhaps primarily be associated with the Neville family, since they fundamentally augmented the castle’s significance architecturally and politically, even though more recently the heritage is closely linked to Richard III. This king resided at the castle and also it is believed his only legitimate son, Edward, was born and died at Middleham.  

The entrances of Middleham Castle

For those of us who decided to investigate the top of the keep and check out the surrounding views, Carolyn’s words of how the legacy and beauty of the landscape must have mattered to the occupants certainly rang true, as we noticed to the south the site of where William’s Hill once stood; a wooden motte and bailey type castle probably built by Count Alan Rufus, future founder of Richmond Castle, or his brother Ribald. Moreover, Liz’s words of how the use of light at Middleham was a key indicator of who would have inhabited specific spaces could also be seen, as we noticed significantly smaller windows with less of them in domesticated areas than there was in areas of accommodation that was reserved for the nobility.  

The view from Middleham Castle

As we took a break for lunch, we got back on the coach and headed into the market town of Richmond, where my pals and I decided to opt for some local pub food before we all reconvened outside the entrance to the castle. While Middleham is a fine example of what can be perhaps a cramped and communal experience of castle living, Richmond illustrated an open and more architecturally defensible type of castle; a comparison extremely useful for our studies. As we stood beside the impressive 30m high keep, Carolyn gave us an introduction to its Norman heritage and the vast amount of eleventh and twelfth-century architecture, including the stone curtain wall, the great archway that forms part of the keep, and Scolland’s Hall. The keep as stands today exists from the twelfth-century and is said to be one of the best-preserved castle of this scale and age in the country.  

View from Richmond Castle

Unlike Middleham, which fell into ruin in the seventeenth-century, Richmond remained almost continually in use by authority of some sort until the early twentieth-century. For instance, in the nineteenth-century a barrack block and armoury was built, with the armoury being adapted for later use as a cell block for conscientious objectors during the First World War, although the barrack block is now demolished. We also noted how domesticated and opulent the castle once was too, with Scolland’s Hall, which included a kitchen, buttery and pantry, overlooking the river beside the ‘Cockpit’ garden. Once we set off to explore ourselves, we made sure to investigate some of Carolyn’s suggestions, notably the eleventh-century St. Nicholas chapel featuring visible traces of red paint which would have been used to mark out the lines of masonry, showing how medieval decorative colour schemes would have looked. Upon inspection of the keep, we were greeted with a rather spacious interior that differed considerably to the remains of Middleham, with three floors including a great chamber and small rooms accessible usually from only one entrance. While this furthers the notion of Richmond being a practical defensive structure, it also supports the significance of hierarchy and separation that typically exist within castles. 

Richmond Castle

Since you can never grasp the physical sensations of light and sound, along with the power and emotion of space you are studying, it was a vitally important experience for our studies, and thinking back now whilst considering the current circumstances, it was lovely way to end our first year of studies at York St. John. 

 

 

Encountering the Monastic Past

First year students on the module The Visible Past got a chance to experience their classroom learning in the field last month, walking in the footsteps of the monks of Mount Grace Priory and Rievaulx Abbey. Joseph Hartley shares his experience.

With the Mount Grace’s grounds bathed in sunlight and not a drop of rain in sight it was only the temperature which left something to be desired. The ruins of the monastery still allowed us to imagine what life could have been like for both choir monks and lay brothers, even if the grounds were more noisy than they would have been in the days when it was inhabited. The areas restricted for the choir monks earn the priory’s title as the best preserved Carthusian priory in the country. The choir monk accommodation was far larger than I think most of us assumed it would be, with a private garden, writing space and toilet.

This, compared to the areas designed for lay brothers, could not have been more different, with areas for crafting, accommodation nowhere near the standard of the lay brothers, the area was far more open and privacy was a second thought. The church allowed us to see the development of the building over time, different architectural styles, materials and repairs could provide us with a vision of how the church would have looked. The separation within monasteries could not have been more apparent, with clear restrictions for where lay brothers could and could not enter, every aspect of the monastery was controlled.

Rievaulx was a completely different experience to Mount Grace. The weather decided not to maintain its clear skies and sun, instead we were greeted with wind, rain and mist as we stepped off the coach. As soon as the site came into view it was still shrouded in mist. Unlike Mount Grace’s modest grounds and ‘small’ church, Rievaulx dominated the landscape, a grand gothic structure which even in ruins demanded respect from those who wandered its roofless halls. With the monasteries being in ruins we were given an insight into how a monk could move about the spaces within the different compounds of the abbey. Though we can still only guess how some areas are connected, most of the remains can still be read and imagined with modern plans to hand. What is most striking about Rievaulx is the size, not only the size of the church, which is more like a cathedral with the later additions, but the grounds which the abbey controlled are vast, encompassing the valley and the surrounding area. Rievaulx is truly an imposing structure which defies its original purpose; it consumed vast amounts of wealth in being constructed and reconstructed over time, something that can also be seen in the stonework and, just like Mount Grace, we can see different stones and architectural styles.

To learn about monasteries in a classroom is only as useful as it can be applied. If we did not think of these monasteries as the desert, and think about the sacred spaces within them along with the restricted areas, the experience would not have been anywhere near as educational nor as entertaining. What made the day truly special was being able to apply the knowledge we had observed in lectures and place it in the field. Being able to place yourself in the shoes of either a choir monk or a lay brother helped in enhancing the experience of the monasteries. I don’t believe that any of the students had a clear favourite, weather aside, they were both entirely different structures offering different experiences which were a pleasure to be part of.

Stories Around Every Corner at York Minster

Students on The Visible Past visited York Minster recently to explore the building and think about its significance – past and present. Joel O’Connor shares his thoughts on the visit.

Once I had decided to take history at York St John, what most excited me was the city’s vast history and the interesting opportunities this would bring. When The Visible Past module became an option, it was a very easy decision! The module itself has been fantastic and the trips have gone a long way to making it an enjoyable, thought-provoking experience. To finish the module with York Minster was fitting, given that the Minster is arguably the centrepiece of York and its history.

The visit to the Minster was a brand-new experience for me, having visited York in the past I had never ventured into the cathedral itself, so it was something I was very much looking forward too. Upon entering, I was struck by the vast size of the building – it turns out it really is as big as it looks! My attention was also drawn to the York Minster police force, seeing a police force act independently was intriguing. Soon we were organised into two groups and allocated a guide. I should mention that the guide was brilliant; it made the experience far more enjoyable being delivered by someone with a genuine interest and passion in what they were discussing.
I personally loved the tour, it allowed us to have answers for everything we were seeing and every question we would want to ask. The discussion about the crypt was particularly awe-inspiring, especially after we were informed that it had been previously undiscovered! Not to mention the fact that the stone coffin of Saint William was resting there. Around every corner there was a story to be told, whether it be the brilliant craftmanship of an individual, the burial of an important figure, or the location of an accident that had occurred in the building. There really is no end to the information that could be gained through exploring the York Minster.
Although the cathedral itself was an incredible experience, my personal interests were roused by the underground museum of the cathedral. After being told by the guide that the crozier and ring of a past archbishop were held within the museum I could not wait to look around. Thankfully I was not disappointed, the walk around the museum began with its Roman heritage, right up to the 21st century. The layers of history that have accumulated at the site of York Minster are quite astounding and the museum does a great job of showcasing this. Anybody visiting the minster should certainly visit the underground museum; it portrays the different timelines of the site that are not visible when looking just at the cathedral.

The experience of visiting York Minster holds different interests for each person; it is not just a great historical site but also an important religious site within Christianity and the community. During the tour we were required to be silent for a minute or two, to allow the worshippers to take a minute of prayer. This was a sobering moment, the realisation that we were not simply looking around a relic of the past but were in fact exploring a building that still functions as it was originally designed. Seeing such an old building with rich traditions, still being used as it was originally intended, is rare and was a genuinely meaningful experience. I would suggest that anybody visiting York should visit the Minster, if not for the deep history of the site then for the beautiful architecture both inside and outside of the cathedral.

Interacting with the Visible Past at York Minster

In this post, first-year student Samantha Hallwood shares her experience of visiting York Minster as part of the module The Visible Past.

York Minster, one of the most loved and well visited medieval building located in the heart of York. A place where heritage has been encapsulated within its very walls. Meticulously looked after by the numerous members of staff who utilise their skills to maintain and preserve what is left of the medieval structuring and craftsmanship. This visit was to conclude the Visible Past as a module and was personally one of my favourite trips out.

We were welcomed by one of the members of staff at York Minster who didn’t just provide us with a well-informed tour but also saved us from the hoard of school children swarming together outside the building.

The tour began in the heart of the Minster, a place where (fingers crossed) we will graduate! As well as being a place of celebration it also hosts Sunday Mass, funerals, school groups and even royalty. Unfortunately on this day Charles and Camilla chose to not turn up to welcome us but our tour guide was a close second.

All of the elements of the last few weeks were incorporated into the tour. The guide spoke of the development, landscape and the people who inhabited the Minster in the medieval period, areas we were now able to identify and interact with due to the previous lectures and seminars as well as the other site visits we have been on.

Once he spoke of the key background information (dates, the older churches which are unknown as to where they were located due to the materials they were constructed in), we then moved to face one of the main windows in the nave. This stained glass was evidence of the importance of religion and how the Minster has been structured with its archbishops over the centuries. The archbishops would, and still do, enter the narthex and stand below this great window and look to their predecessors to guide them into the important role of archbishop. Walking away from this window you could identify the relevance of it as it faces you all the way up the nave and is still clear at the altar; it’s as if the predecessors are watching down and guiding the present archbishop as well as their followers.

There are 128 windows in the Minster and many of them hold stories, for example one is evidence of how merchants would pay a fee to decorate one of the windows in the Minster and through this advertise their business. A perfect location for wheeling and dealing all types of products, one window depicts a number of bells crafted by Richard Tunnoc.

As you walk around the building you begin to realise how skilful these builders and craftsmen must have been to have created such a decorative, beautiful and immense building; it is clear why it took them 250 years to build it. And you realise how much work actually goes into the preservation of the building, how heritage has helped shape and maintain this iconic building. It’s worrying to think what would have happened if the Minster had gone into disrepair and how much actually would have been left in the 21^st century.

We then went down to the undercroft where we were able to see clear evidence of the development of the Minster due to the brickwork. Many visitors walked past the brickwork but if you stopped and knew what you were looking for you’d be able to notice how the builders were sometimes in a rush and would leave behind hidden gems sometimes blind to the modern eye. An example being the brush marks engraved into the plaster which indicates that the plaster was still wet when they faced the next step of construction.

There are so many stories connected to the Minster that not many people know about until you delve that little further into the actual building and see the hidden gems that have been covered for so long. The visit to the Minster has helped extremely well with understanding the importance of heritage in our historical buildings and the city of York. It has shone a light on how people utilised the Minster in the medieval period, how it has changed over time, the disasters it has faced (the fires in: 1753,1829, 1840 and 1984), and finally the long process of preserving every bit of the Minster such as the Great East Window which took 10 years to clean.

As we were sang out by a school choir it made it somewhat celestial and was a rather fitting end to our visits with the Visible Past. Anthony Smart and Carolyn Donohue have welcomed us into a different aspect of history, which we have all thoroughly enjoyed and will become useful for future studies. One thing I will definitely miss with Visible Past is the opportunity to visit the gift shops, which of course we did at the end of the trip to York Minster.